Martin Grove's Hollywood Report

It's perfect timing for "AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR" to open to $250M just as exhibitors were assessing Hollywood's health at CinemaCon. MPAA CEO Charles Rivkin and National Association of Theatre Owners president John Fithian both agree the movie business is healthy – citing things like huge attendance (263M people in the US/Canada saw at least one film in 2017) and that people like sharing a communal viewing experience. Distributors, of course, were previewing their biggest new titles to generate exhibitor excitement. Exhibitors typically want people to go to "the movies" – any movie will do since most of them will be playing in a big multiplex and virtually everyone will buy popcorn or other snacks. Distributors...
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After a wintry spring with chilly boxoffice temps, Hollywood's hoping for a sizzling summer. Last summer fell victim to franchise fatigue, but this one looks like it has what it takes to keep the multiplexes buzzing. That's clear from Fandango's survey of what summer films moviegoers are most anticipating. Not surprisingly, "AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR" (4/27) leads the Top 10, followed by: "DEADPOOL 2" (5/18), "SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY" (5/25), "JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM" (6/22 -- pictured), "INCREDIBLES 2" (6/15), "OCEAN'S 8" (6/8), "MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN" (7/20), "MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT" (7/27) "SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO" (6/29) and "ANT-MAN AND THE WASP" (7/6). Films based on aging properties under-performed last summer, but this summer will be driven by newer material that moviegoers actually know. And there's more than just superhero sequels – including family...
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Fox Searchlight's plan to produce content for TV and streaming could turn the Emmys into the new Oscars. By moving into the business of creating content for viewing at home or on mobile devices, FS points the way to a future where critically driven "films," series and documentaries could reach a much larger audience. FS's best picture Oscar success – most recently with "THE SHAPE OF WATER" (pictured – director Guillermo del Toro) -- could easily translate into Emmys gold with streaming partners like the one Disney's launching or Hulu, which Disney will own 60% of after acquiring Fox. By leveraging its high profile prestige movie brand via Searchlight TV, FS should emerge as a driving force on the Emmys front – a great place to be in the Disney-Fox universe. FS isn't getting out of theatrical movies, but the marketplace has...
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Last week's MPAA analysis of global moviegoing in 2017 was so overloaded with content that some key info was buried. With so much detail about percentages up and down – like up 5% to $40.6B in worldwide ticket sales vs. $38.6B in 2016, but down 2% domestically to $11.1B from $11.4B – it's easy to miss some valuable insights provided by the studios' lobbying group. The spotlight was on moviegoing's international strength last year -- $29.5B in ticket sales, up 7% from 2016's $27.2B – because that offset domestic's disappointing results. But what's really worth noting is that domestic's shortfall from 2016 was only about $300M -- and that would have been wiped out if Hollywood had had just one more blockbuster like "IT" (pictured), which did $327.5M, or managed to get an extra $150M in ticket sales from, say, two under-performers. So domestic would have been neck-and-neck with 2016 if "TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT" had done $280.2M instead of $130.2M and if "THE MUMMY" did $230.2M instead of $80.2M. Looking at it this way, the decline in domestic moviegoing...
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After turning moviegoing into an event-films-only business, streaming video now has Hollywood cutting commercials on its broadcast networks. Streaming's impact on TV is in addition to giving moviegoers a cheaper and more convenient way to see non-event films. Unfortunately, that tends to include most of what's not coming from Disney's Marvel (pictured – "AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR"), Pixar or Lucasfilm labels. Thanks to Netflix and Amazon, viewers have gotten used to seeing content at home without having to watch commercials or even fast-forward through ads on their DVRs. Last week brought word that NBC and Fox plan to cut back on the amount of commercial time in their shows this fall, hoping viewers will sit through shorter breaks and advertisers will pay as much or even more because there's less clutter.
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Now that Washington's launched a trade war with China, Hollywood may need to rethink its strategy of making films designed to perform well in China. If China's response to the tariffs includes a reduction in how many US films can be distributed in China or on how much money US studios can take out of China, Hollywood could be in serious trouble. "PACIFIC RIM UPRISING" (discussed in today's boxoffice comments) and "TOMB RAIDER" (pictured – Alicia Vikander) are examples of how Hollywood hopes to crunch its numbers by appealing to moviegoers in China. "TR," which reportedly cost $90M, opened a week ago in second place to $23.6M domestic. In China, however, it topped the boxoffice
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There already are too many awards shows, but I think we need one more. It's not realistic to think Oscar voters will suddenly start including big budget, mainstream hits in the best picture race. "BLACK PANTHER" (pictured) getting a best picture nom next year is a long shot given Academy members' love affair with small indie dramas. "BP" may be 97% Certified Fresh on RT with $605.4M domestic and $1.18B globally, but it's likely to wind up snubbed just like "WONDER...
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Oscar turned 90 last week, but it's anybody's guess if he'll make it to 100! Lower ratings were likely since the best picture nominees weren't widely seen, but 26.5M average viewers is grim -- the lowest in 9 years and down 19% from 32.9M in 2017. Clearly, the Academy must fix a few things. First, it's absurd to ignore popcorn movies like "WONDER WOMAN"...
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Movie critics are more influential than ever in Hollywood despite their dwindling readership and media outlets jettisoning some of them to save money. In the 1960s and '70s, prominent publications prized having brand name critics whose strong opinions could make a difference at the boxoffice. Among the best: Judith...
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Oscar outlook: It's taken seven long months, but Hollywood finally has a film that's generating a best picture Oscar buzz. That likely contender is Warner Bros., Canal+ and RatPac-Dune Entertainment's PG-13 rated World War II action drama "Dunkirk," which has boxoffice success and critical acclaim going for it. Those are the twin factors it typically takes to get on Academy members' radar screens for consideration.
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"Dunkirk" debut: "Dunkirk" won last weekend's battle at the multiplexes, but Hollywood is still losing the summer boxoffice war. The PG-13 rated World War II action drama from Warner Bros., Canal+ and RatPac-Dune Entertainment opened Number One to $50.5 million at 3,720 theatres. "Dunkirk" was the number one film internationally, per comScore, "opening to an outstanding $55.4 million on 10,775 screens in 46 overseas markets for a global combined total of $105.9 million." IMAX, which...
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"Apes" arrival: Aging franchises have had a rough time at the summer boxoffice, but moviegoers hit the multiplexes last weekend to see "War for the Planet of the Apes," the latest in a series that goes back to 1968.
The 20th Century Fox and Chernin Entertainment PG-13 rated sci-fi action adventure was the weekend's 400-pound gorilla with its $56.5 million opening at 4,022 theatres. About $5 million of that total came from Thursday night previews at 3,251 theatres. The franchise's last episode,
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Fourth focus: When July Fourth falls on a Tuesday, as it does this year, Hollywood has a five day period in which to generate boxoffice fireworks.Two variables play a part in how good the outcome is. The weather, particularly on the East Coast and in the Midwest, is always a key factor on the Fourth. If it rains...
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"Transformers" talk: Hollywood needs a summer boxoffice transformation, but it didn't get it from last weekend's opening of Paramount and Hasbro's "Transformers: The Last Knight." The PG-13 rated IMAX-3D sci-fi action adventure finished first with $45.3 million at 4,069 theatres. Its five day domestic cume of $69.1 million includes about $5.5 million from Tuesday night previews at 546 theatres. This was in line...
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"Cars" cash: As movie genres go, 3D animated family films are still one of Hollywood's best bets. Disney and Pixar Animation Studios' G rated adventure comedy "Cars 3" may not be doing "Wonder Woman" type boxoffice business, but its $53.5 million opening at 4,256 theatres last weekend is still much better than some other high profile arrivals have done lately. It also was more than the $40 million to $50 million launch that Hollywood handicappers were talking about earlier this month. "C3's" arrival over Father's Day weekend was great timing for dads and kids to do some fun moviegoing together and likely played a part...
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"Mummy" makeover: Everything old is still new again in Hollywood, as we saw with "The Mummy's" rebirth last weekend. Hollywood handicappers didn't expect Universal and the Sean Daniel Company's PG-13 rated 3D reboot of "The Mummy" action adventure franchise to kick Warner Bros., DC Entertainment and Dune Entertainment's "Wonder Woman" out of first place – and they were right. The "Mummy" makeover awoke in second place to a sleepy $32.2 million at 4,035 theatres. Earlier in the weekend, Hollywood handicappers were projecting only a $30 million launch. Nonetheless...
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$ummer $uccess: That June jolt from "Wonder Woman's" $100.5 million launch is just what Hollywood handicappers were hoping for after a gloomy May at the boxoffice. It clearly helped that the Warner Bros., DC Entertainment and Dune Entertainment PG-13 rated 3D fantasy action adventure is Certified Fresh with a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes.Insiders have been speculating lately that really rotten RT scores worked against May releases like "Baywatch" (20%), "Pirates...
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Wonderful "Woman:" Memorial Day's come and gone and Hollywood is still hoping for something wonderful to happen at the boxoffice. Neither of the long holiday weekend's wide arrivals fell into that category, but there are high hopes that Warner Bros., DC Entertainment and Dune Entertainment's 3D fantasy action adventure "Wonder Woman" will enjoy super-powered ticket sales when it opens Friday at about 4,000 theatres...
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When Marvel and Columbia's "Spider-Man 3" opened May 4, 2007 to a marvelous $151.1 million, it redefined for Hollywood the start of summer moviegoing.
Since Marvel planted its flag in that first-weekend-in-May real estate, it's claimed it without any challenges. Memorial Day never regained its old super status. That's not to say that this four-day holiday weekend still isn't an important part of the summer boxoffice puzzle. It's just not the kind of major magnet for those first summer moviegoing eyeballs that it once was. Since Marvel monopolized early May with the likes of The Avengers, Iron Man, Thor...
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"Alien" arriving: Familiar films are the name of the game these days and that's not likely to change given their boxoffice strength. Disney and Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" easily held on to first place in its second weekend with $63 million, bringing its domestic cume to $246.2 million. Disney said Sunday that "GG2" did an estimated $115.2 million internationally last weekend, bringing its international cume to $384.4 million. Its global cume to date is...
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"Galaxy" gold: For the eleventh straight year, Hollywood's summer movie season is off to a splendid start thanks to Marvel and Disney. "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2's" $145 million opening last weekend makes it Marvel's sixth biggest early May launch since 2007. The PG-13 rated 3D sci-fi action adventure follows "The Avengers" with $207.4 million in 2012, "Avengers: Age of Ultron" with $191.2 million in...
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May movies: After an anemic April at the boxoffice, Hollywood is looking forward to packed multiplexes in May. Working in May's favor is that most of its wide releases have nicely familiar roots. It's always helpful when moviegoers already know what to expect after seeing related IP in the past. May will kick off, as it has for the last 10 years, with a Marvel franchise and will end with a Disney franchise for Memorial Day weekend. If you missed last week's column with a complete history of Marvel's early May blockbusters, you can read it...
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Marvel May: The merry month of May has been all the merrier at the boxoffice for the past decade thanks to Marvel Studios. Since 2007, Marvel's used the first weekend in May to launch comic book driven fantasy action adventure blockbusters that have dominated early summer. Marvel arguably created the early summer as a distinct sub-season that it now owns. Historically, Hollywood kicked off summer in late May with the long Memorial Day holiday weekend. Thanks to Marvel, the entire month of May was turned into a consistently hot month at the multiplexes. Wile Memorial Day...
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Cannes countdown: There's no official start to the awards season, but for many Hollywood handicappers it begins with the countdown to the Cannes Film Festival. Cannes, which is celebrating its 70th festival year from May 17-28, has been a high profile global media opportunity for Oscar hopefuls for many years. But looking at...
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"Fast" franchise: Hit family films like "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Boss Baby" have been driving spring ticket sales, but a turbo-charged action crime thriller's fast approaching that should really rev up the boxoffice. This weekend will see Universal and Original Film's PG-13 rated "The Fate of the Furious" parking at about 4,200 theatres. Hollywood handicappers are talking about a likely $100 million-plus domestic launch.
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Family films: With "The Boss Baby" delivering $49 million last weekend and with "Beauty and the Beast's" domestic cume already at $395.5 million in week three, it's clear that family films remain one of Hollywood's best boxoffice bets...
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April arrivals: March came in like the proverbial lion, but it's certainly not going out like a lamb. Indeed, Disney and Mandeville Films' "Beauty and the Beast" continued to roar atop the boxoffice last weekend with $88.3 million and a 10 day cume of $317 million.Disney said Sunday that "Beauty" also grossed $119 million internationally last weekend "to push its global cume to $690M ($317M domestic, $373M international). Now the #1 movie of 2017 domestically and globally, this is the fourth consecutive Walt...
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Strong summer: Last week's North East blizzard left millions of people in the mood for summer. Although Mother Nature can't deliver summer until its official Wed., June 21 start at 12:24 a.m./ET, Hollywood can and will be pumping up the action to summertime levels with high profile event films much sooner than that – starting with Disney and Marvel's May 5 launch of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2."
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March madness: Spring doesn't start until next week, but there's already a summer heat wave at the boxoffice. With "Logan" grossing $152.7 million in 10 days, "Kong: Skull Island" opening last weekend to a much better than expected $61...
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Academy aftermath: Although the Wrong Envelope snafu is the big story in the aftermath of the 89th Academy Awards, it's really not Oscar's biggest problem. The embarrassing envelope mix-up certainly threw cold water on an otherwise sparkling night of Oscar glamour that worked beautifully thanks to Jimmy Kimmel's...
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Oscar outcome: The Oscar bellwethers that were ringing for months have stopped and now that we know how Academy members voted we can decide whom to trust next year. Of course, with "La La Land" winning and then finding out that it actually lost best picture to "Moonlight," it makes looking back at how other awards givers voted a great way to end...
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Oscar outlook: It's all over, but the shouting – and we'll be hearing plenty of that Feb. 26 at the 89th annual Oscars. The Academy's final voting ends Tuesday (Feb. 21), closing a long drawn-out season of awards campaigning that started at last May's Cannes Film Festival and continued at festivals in Venice, Telluride, Toronto and New York. An onslaught of honors followed from critics across the country, guilds representing...
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Awards activity: Academy members are doing their final voting from Feb. 13-21 and their choices are the ones that will turn up in the sealed envelopes Feb. 26 at the 89th annual Oscars. Other awards givers' choices, of course, have been making news since late last November. The latest winners were announced Sunday at the British Academy's 70th annual BAFTA Awards at London's Royal Albert...
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February focus: The dark cold days of February should turn brighter at this weekend's boxoffice thanks to "Fifty Shades Darker" and "The LEGO Batman Movie." The openings are targeted to adult women and to families, respectively, and should deliver a one-two...
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Contender comparisons: Now that we finally know who's been Oscar nominated, the next question is -- Who's going to win? With nine films competing for best picture, there's no shortage of reasons for deciding how any one of them might edge out the others...
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Spring season: As we muddle through a nasty winter that's spreading snow, ice, rain, twisters and frigid temps around the U.S., it's a good time to start thinking about spring. For Hollywood, spring can't come soon enough since the early winter boxoffice hasn't exactly been sizzling. After two weekends that were down versus 2016, last...
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New noms: The nice thing about January is that every week brings its own set of new nominations so just about any awards contender can find something to shout about.Last week delivered a triple treat for Hollywood with Tuesday's British Academy BAFTA noms and Producers Guild of America Awards noms and Thursday's Directors Guild of America...
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Best bets: Hollywood called it a night Sunday after sitting through the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's 74th annual Golden Globes awards. Now it's on to Tuesday's nominations for the British Academy's 70th annual BAFTA awards.
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January joy: Despite setting a domestic boxoffice record for 2016, behind the scenes Hollywood's not jumping for joy as January gets underway. To begin with, the modest increase of about 2.2 percent over 2015 – roughly $11.37 billion...
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Happy holidays: For Hollywood, the holiday season isn't the most wonderful time of the year. That would be the summer boxoffice season, which now stretches all the way from early May through Labor Day. The much more compact holiday season...
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Guild gold: What Hollywood calls the "awards season" is actually an all-year pursuit of Oscar gold starting in mid-January at the Sundance Film Festival and ending in late February the following year at the Academy Awards...
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Awards action: Say what you will about the quirky, wacky members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, but they've certainly managed to build themselves an enviable brand with the Golden Globes...
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December discussion: December is a key month for Hollywood if it's going to set a domestic boxoffice record for the year. Right now, it's possible that last year's record setting $11.1 billion domestic total can be toppled. Through last weekend, according to comScore, 2016 is running about 4.0 percent ahead of last year -- $10.28 billion vs. $9.88 billion.
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Thanksgiving time: Turkeys are welcome everywhere at Thanksgiving time -- except at the boxoffice. Over the years, Hollywood's gotten pretty good at serving the right mix of films on multiplex Thanksgiving...
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Familiar focus: Voters opted for change last week, but moviegoers are sticking with what's familiar. The fall boxoffice turnaround continued to be powered last weekend by Marvel Studios and Disney's PG-13 rated 3D action adventure comic book fantasy "Doctor Strange." In weekend two, the good "Doctor" held on to first place with a healthy $43...
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"Strange" story: Moviegoers cast $85 million worth of votes last weekend to elect "Doctor Strange" their boxoffice leader. It was a landslide victory for the PG-13 rated 3D action adventure comic book fantasy from Marvel Studios and Disney. Directed by Scott Derrickson ("Deliver Us From Evil"), it stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor and...
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November news: November's not off to the hot start "Inferno" might have delivered, but with "Doctor Strange" on the horizon there's real hope for a boxoffice upturn. Columbia and Imagine Entertainment's PG-13...
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Autumn action: After two months of fall fizzles, Hollywood is about to see some boxoffice sizzle this weekend thanks to "Inferno." Last weekend was the first up weekend versus this time last year in five weeks – but it took two...
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Oscar outlook: What looked like it would be a slam dunk best picture Oscar race dominated by "The Birth of a Nation" has taken some unexpected twists and turns, creating excellent opportunities for other contenders.
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Diversity discussion: After two years of heated criticism of Oscar nominations for lacking diversity, Academy members may finally be able to make amends. That's because this time around there finally...
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October outlook: October will bring multiplexes a mix of pictures as early awards hopefuls, action adventures, thrillers, comedies and horror films compete for moviegoers' time and money. That makes it a something-for-everyone kind of month, which is usually a good combination for Hollywood...
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Festival focus: After the frenzy of Sundance, the glitz of Cannes, the glamour of Venice, the film buffs at Telluride and the deal making at Toronto, Hollywood is now gearing up for the New York Film Festival...
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Changes coming: The Oscars are still the last stop on the awards railroad, but calendar changes and revised rules for other events could impact on how Academy members vote this year. In recent weeks, the British Academy (BAFTA's), Hollywood...
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Horror hopefuls: Horror thrillers are one of Hollywood's hottest genres and with a half dozen more on the horizon, the boxoffice should continue to benefit. September has already enjoyed a nice boost from Screen Gems, Stage 6 Films and Ghost House Pictures' R rated suspense thriller "Don't Breathe." Last weekend, it placed third...
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September story: Labor Day is one of Hollywood's least favorite holiday weekends and this one didn't do much to change things. Because Labor Day is the last gasp of summer, particularly for people living where fall weather is fast approaching, it's a weekend...
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Toronto talk: What happens in Toronto doesn't stay in Toronto – and that's one reason why Hollywood loves the Toronto International Film Festival. Because early awards buzz spreads like wildfire at TIFF, the festival is one of marketers' favorite ways to get films on track for Oscar consideration...
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"Suicide" strength: Hollywood got an early Christmas present with last weekend's $135.1 million "Suicide Squad" opening. "Suicide" estimated opening weekend put it in a virtual tie Sunday morning as the year's third biggest launch. "Captain America: Civil War" ranks first with $179.1 million on May 6 and "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" is...
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August action: August used to be the dumping ground for films Hollywood didn't expect much of at the boxoffice, but these days it's very valuable sizzling late summer playing time. Looking back, August has generated some sizable hits over the years, including...
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"Bourne" boost: Hollywood's enjoying a much needed midsummer boxoffice rally fueled mostly by franchises and family fare. Ticket sales for last weekend's Top 10 films were up 29.3 percent versus this time last year, according to comScore...
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Midsummer movies: After a disappointing early summer, Hollywood enjoyed a lively July Fourth weekend and is hoping for some midsummer hits to re-energize the box office. All films in the holiday marketplace...
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"Fast" franchise: Wednesday's 15th anniversary re-release of "The Fast and the Furious" is a great reminder that not all Hollywood franchises originate as comic books, young adult novels or video games.
Sometimes, lightning just strikes on its own – with a little help from great marketing -- and the resulting boxoffice flames burn brightly for years to come...
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Horror history: Horror films have been one of Hollywood's most popular genres going back to silent movie days. Over the years, the horror genre evolved in many directions, always managing to offer whatever kind of scares would best attract moviegoers at the time...
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Summer starts: If June didn't exist, Hollywood would have to invent it. June's the month that delivers the jolt that jumpstarts the summer boxoffice. Kids are finally out of school. Adults start taking vacation time...
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Healthy Hollywood: With all the media attention that's been given to Sean Parker's proposed Screening Room venture that would put new movies in home theatres for $50 fees right when they open theatrically, you'd think the movie business was falling apart.
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"Jungle" joy: Disney has a brand new boxoffice gorilla in "The Jungle Book."
The PG rated live action adventure drama from Walt Disney Pictures, which opened last weekend to a joyful $103.6 million at 4,028 theatres, is the third biggest opening of the year after "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" ($166 million on Mar. 25) and "Deadpool" ($132.4 million on Feb. 12).
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April action: April can't help but start on the right boxoffice foot thanks to March winding up with a super powered $170.1 million kick off for "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice."
Critics didn't go out-of-this-world ...
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Comic book driven superhero epics have enjoyed boxoffice super strength for years and that's a safe bet to continue with Friday's launch of "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice."
After thesuccess of franchises built around individual superheroes like Warner Bros. and DC...
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"Allegiant" arriving: Young Adult appeal novels driven by agile heroines in dystopian future worlds have in recent years become one of Hollywood's better boxoffice bets.
The four episodes in...
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March movies: March is supposed to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb, but it looks like it's going to be all lion this year. With"Zootopia"launchingthe month, "The Divergent Series: Allegiant" anchoring mid-month...
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Oscar outcome: The Oscars have come and gone, but this year's dominant issue of "diversity," or really the lack of it, isn't going away.
Kudos to host Chris Rock for dealing with this "elephant in the room" with...
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Oscar outlook: It's all over now but the shouting.
Final balloting for the 88th annual Academy Awards ends Feb. 23, but by now most Oscar voters have made their choices. On Feb. 28 the sealed envelopes will be ripped open...
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Jolly January: January isn't known for boxoffice heatwaves, but this year may be different. Thanks to "Star Wars: The Force Awakens,"January ticket sales should be much more robust than usual. The Lucas film Ltd. PG-13 rated 3D sci-fi action...
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Nominations now: With every week bringing more news from awards givers, it's easy to forget that the only award that really matters in Hollywood is the Oscar. Everything else is just a stepping stone to winning...
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Thanksgiving tickets: Moviegoing has become such a big part of Thanksgiving in recent years that it really belongs on the menu.
A post-Thanksgiving dinner visit to a nearby multiplex is for many...
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"Spotlight" spotlight: As the awards season heats up, the spotlight is on films that resonate with audiences as well as critics.
Academy members like to see that moviegoers are as enthusiastic about best picture contenders...
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November news: November is shaping up as a dream month for Hollywood.
With a new Bond film to launchthe month, the "Hunger Games"finale two weeks later and a Pixar/Disneyanimated adventure for Thanksgiving, the multiplexes...
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"Jobs" journey: Biographical dramas tell us about someone's life journey. But sometimes there's also a film's journey through the awards season to talk about. A case in point is Universal, Legendary Pictures...
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October overview: If a Martian who knew a little about movies landed in a multiplex parking lot and wandered inside, he'd realize pretty quickly from what's playing that it must be October. Big commercial...
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Film festivals: Film festivals are the first stop on Hollywood's railroad to the Oscars. High profile festivals in Venice, Telluride, Toronto and New York provide convenient platforms in September and early October to show Oscar hopefuls to audiences...
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Oscar outlook: As we move into the second half of the year, Hollywood is starting to think about the annual Oscar race and who will be the most likely best picture contenders.
It's a challenging game...
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"Ant" action: With the summer boxoffice still sizzling thanks to "Minions," Hollywood is in the best of spirits as Disney and Marvel's "Ant-Man" prepares to invade multiplexes this weekend.
Universal and Illumination Entertainment's first-place...
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July jolt: A July jolt at the boxoffice is Hollywood's ideal mid-summer night's dream.
On the heels of a dreamy June with blockbusters like "Jurassic World"and "Inside Out" that dominated July Fourth...
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Girl gold: After many years of targeting summer movies to teenage boys, Hollywood is discovering there's also boxoffice gold in films appealing to young women.
Along with male driven action hits like...
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Heavy hitters: Hollywood rolls out its summer heavy hitters starting in June.
Unlike May, June is prime summer playing time because kids get out of school as the month goes by and adults are starting
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Marvel muscle: It was a muscle weekend not just in the Vegas boxing ring, but at boxoffices everywhere as "Avengers: Age of Ultron"openedto a heavyweight $187.7 million at 4,276 theatres.
Despite strong competition from the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight (including Saturday night viewing parties across the country), the...
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Tony timing: The last Oscar telecast could easily have been mistaken for the Tonys with all its musical production numbers and four-time Tonys host Neil Patrick Harris, but there also are some big differences that differentiate the two...
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Holiday hopes: Hollywood got a high octane boxoffice boost over the Easter-Passover weekend from Universal's $143.6million opening of "Furious 7,"proving once again how well moviegoing and holidays go together....
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Happy holidays: The week between Christmas and New
Year's is one of the merriest times of the boxoffice year, but
Hollywood's happier when the holidays don't fall on Wednesday as
they do this year.
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Thanksgiving time: Moviegoing's become such a big part of celebrating the long Thanksgiving weekend that in all likelihood most people reading today's column will see a film some time between Wednesday and Sunday.
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Oscar outlook: We’ve been talking about Oscar frontrunners since last May’s Cannes Film Festival, but we won’t know who the contenders really are until Academy members’ nominations are announced Jan. 10.
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October overview: September ended with a boxoffice bang – about $43 million for Sony’s “Hotel Transylvania” and about $21 million for Sony’s “Looper!” October should blast off even stronger with a hefty take this weekend for Fox’s “Taken 2.”More >>

Family fun: Last weekend’s chart topping launch for “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” hammered home once again the big boxoffice advantage family films have thanks to their broad playability.
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Blockbuster books: Hollywood’s been bringing books to the screen since the silent days and hits like D.W. Griffith’s “The Birth of a Nation,” adapted from Thomas F. Dixon, Jr.’s novel “The Clansman.”
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Silly “Stooges:” We don’t see much slapstick humor on the screen these days, but moviegoers have been laughing at physical comedy since the silent days of Mack Sennett's Keystone Kops and Charlie Chaplin’s Little Tramp.
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3D Dimension: With the boxoffice nearly 14 percent ahead of last year, 2012’s off to a great start and Hollywood’s counting on 3D and its premium prices to drive ticket sales in the coming months.
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Film festivals: Hollywood’s awards season, which culminates in late February’s Oscars, kicks off in September with global film festivals that are now the launch pad for Academy Awards consideration.
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After “Apes:” Is there life after “Apes?”
Well, don’t expect anything too lively at this weekend’s boxoffice, considering the soft tracking scores for all four new wide releases. None of them are likely to be aping the high climbing success of Fox and Chernin Entertainment’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.”More >>

With the passing of Sidney Lumet Hollywood has lost another of its iconic filmmakers. These links to what many of us regard as “better days” in the movie business are increasingly few and it’s sad to see them taken by death.More >>

Producer Power: Although at first glance the Producers Guild of America’s best picture award last weekend to “The King’s Speech” seemed like an amazing surprise, the shock’s worn off and it now seems totally logical.
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Word from Calibra Pictures that
it's putting writer-director Joshua Newton's "The Bank Robbers" and
"The Turning" into production in 2011 is good news for anyone who
enjoys thrillers with a unique twist.
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